The first comprehensive appraisal of interest groups in Western democracies in thirty years also offers a systematic comparison of interest group activities and their impact on public policymaking in twelve post-industrial First World nations. Using a conceptual framework and varied perspectives, well-known experts provide a long-term assessment of interest group systems, identify similarities and differences, and point to current trends and future directions. This up-to-date overview and analysis examines the American model, British model with its derivations, continental European models, and systems in newer democracies. The chapters describe the factors affecting interest group make-up, their operating techniques, and their influence on public process. The concluding chapter provides further insights for understanding interest groups in a comparative context. A selected bibliography is helpful in pointing to sources for further study.